Finished a wonderful night discovering freedom in the Lord, growing deeper with my squad, and continuing in a better understanding of being a daughter of the king.
Today we are exposed to travel day. This is the day where the squad as a whole will be traveling to the next country. No new foods for this day just easy quick meals; for example for lunch we had PB&J and chips. Grab and go type deal.
So on this day we all found out who our teams were. How it works is there are squads of about 30-50 people, typically, however read my blog titled squad prophecy and you’ll see why B squad is only 10. Within the squad they are divided into teams of 5-6 people; our squad is divided into two teams of 5. Throughout this whole time we have been doing squad/team building exercises such as crossing the “river” only using small wooden blocks and someone’s foot had to be on the block at all times. We had to make a square using rope while blindfolded, we had to lower a hula-hoop only using our index fingers, and we had to stand on a blanket and flip it over without our feet touching the ground. After all of these exercises we would talk about what went well, what didn’t go well, what we could have changed, and how can we apply this scenario on the field. I appreciated that we had a mini debrief after each one because it allowed us to see our strengths and weaknesses in ourselves, in each other, how we worked together, and what we can learn from one another. I think this experience also showed that even though we are all doing this for the same purpose, our squad and more intimately our team are a family and we have to learn how to function as a family. If we cannot be a ministry to our family and hold a strong community, then we will have difficulty in the field. I know personally that stood out for me while engaged in these exercises. I am thankful to say that the squad God blessed me with is a phenomenal one and our community is one of faith, trust, reliance, love, patience, and open hearts. I cannot wait to grow alongside them and see how the Lord uses each one of us for His glory.
Introducing my team…….we are…..Canvas and Clay!
We picked the name canvas and clay because it means that God is the potter and we are the clay. He has been molding and shaping us to be Christ like in all of our ways and he has paved the path for us to continue to be molded by embarking on this journey.
If there wasn’t enough confirmation that I am supposed to be on this trip here is another reason why. Our squad leaders tell us our teams in a pretty awesome way. They cut up a picture with a bible verse on the back and we have to find the matching pieces. We all find each other and the bible verse is Jeremiah 29: 7, 11-13. Now Jeremiah 29:11 has been my LIFE verse; I hold that verse deeply in my heart because the Lord’s plans are always good. To see that verse written on the back of this picture just gave me goosebumps; God is good people! I cannot hold back the joy and excitement I have from knowing that in a few short days I will be doing life with these people. The Lord showed me in that moment that I always need to trust Him, to surrender daily and know that His plans are for a purpose, and to align my will with His so that I long after what the Lord longs after. I follow His path for me not a path that I have tried to build. In that moment more chains were broken for my team and I, and the fire in our hearts was burning.
Tune in next week to hear about our gender day, hike, African food, and impromptu movie night and sleepover for the girls!
Below you will see our team. In the picture with the red shirts the names of my team are as follows from left to right:
Eva, Rebekah, Erica, Ryan, Connor, and our amazing squad leader Britt!
Please pray for us!
I love this article Erica! Thank you for sharing. I look forward to seeing how God will use each of you and the lives that are forever changed bc of Him!
May I just say I don’t think there are enough LOVE buttons to express how much I L.O.V.E. this!!!! GOD, three letters that are a mouthful!! I SO love how he is working in you and SO look forward to hearing about the good works of Squad B. I pray God’s anointing over you all and his protection, strength (mental and physical) and comfort.